Building Upon Sustainable Consumption and Production for Food and Apparel

Abstract

This chapter aims to address inherent challenges in characterizing sustainable consumption and production (SCP) as a tangible reality when it comes to the food and apparel sectors. Addressing how SDG 12 is adopted and managed in different sectors is fundamentally important to measure if, and to what extent, environmental and social concerns are fulfilled, considering, in a broader view, their interdependence with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty eradication, zero hunger and food security, energy security, decent work and economic growth, climate action and partnerships for the goals. There are critical environmental agendas related to food and apparel production that deserves attention when it comes to sustainable production. Deforestation, excessive use of agrochemicals, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and climate change are key issues related to food production. From a social perspective, it is relevant to quote labor rights— and, more broadly, human rights—as a baseline scenario to be considered when addressing SDG 12. For the apparel sector, social issues are critical, especially considering big trademarks and the vast, decentralized network of suppliers and manufacturers concentrated in developing countries. Slave and child labor, poor wages and lack of basic labor rights are at the core of the challenges when it comes to sustainable production and consumption at the apparel sector. Regarding consumption, it is relevant to analyze the level of consumption in different countries, food and apparel loss and wastage, access to nutritious food and overconsumption.